Artist Interview: Magda Smoleńska

Do you have a formal art education or are you a self taught artist: I hold a Bachelor of Arts and Architectural Studies from University of Illinois at Chicago, but I pursued Master of Architecture in lieu of the Arts. I would designate myself a self taught artist.

What is the style of your pieces: Most of the pieces are abstract, contemporary style.

What is the medium in which you work: Majority of the time it is oils.

What started you on your path as an artist: I have not one clue, but it seems that I’ve always been drawing, sketching, painting, creating. However, the more organized painting that I do now was started on a whim to try something I haven’t done before, painting with oils on canvas.

What is one of the most important things that art has brought to your life: Art allows me to dream, experiment, escape, and most importantly feel like even when the world seems at its worst, there are things of beauty all around us.

What is your favorite genre of art besides the one you work in: People.Do you have art showings, and if so what are they typically like: They range from bars to galleries to competitions to fundraisers, but the ones I prefer the most are the low key café style openings. Regular art for regular people.

Do you have a certain set of clothes you make art in: Not really, but I should since most of my clothes have paint stains on them.

What has been the most frustrating part of being an artist? Day job. Apparently, paying rent and eating are essential to one’s survival and art does not pay consistently enough to be able to function in an organized society. So, day job it is. Except, with a day job, the creativity has to be instantaneous. On demand art, then: go to work.

What is your favorite sandwich of all time: Sandwich. The fact that it’s already a sandwich makes it my favorite.Has this year brought about any changes in your work, and if so what are they: I discovered there are numerous organizations that benefit from selling donated pieces of art. Having the opportunity to engage in this process a few times this year really made me set a permanent goal to pursue at least a few of them a year to do my part.

Who is your favorite artist alive or dead: Madonna – it’s the drive in her to become successful that attracts me. If one could paint the heat and desire that she must’ve had to pursue her dream that would be one explosive piece of art!

What is the most moving piece of artwork that you have seen in person: Pieta by Michelangelo

Do you have any animals, and what do they think of your work: I have a Bernese Mountain Dog, Hobbes, who always gets paint on his tail. I take that as approval and willingness to participate in my endeavors.Do you have any upcoming exhibitions you would like to share with us: Absolutely!